Agenda - Environmental Advisory Committee - 20240226Town of Aurora
Environmental Advisory Committee
Meeting Agenda
Date:Monday, February 26, 2024
Time:7 p.m.
Location:Holland Room, Aurora Town Hall
Meetings are available to the public in person and via live stream on the Town’s YouTube channel.
To participate, please visit aurora.ca/participation.
Pages
1.Call to Order
2.Land Acknowledgement
3.Approval of the Agenda
4.Declarations of Pecuniary Interest and General Nature Thereof
5.Receipt of the Minutes
5.1 Environmental Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes of December 11,
2023
1
That the Environmental Advisory Committee meeting minutes of
December 11, 2023, be received for information.
1.
6.Delegations
7.Matters for Consideration
7.1 Memorandum from Energy and Climate Change Analyst; Re: Natural
Capital Asset Management Plan Introduction Presentation
5
That the memorandum regarding Natural Capital Asset
Management Plan Introduction Presentation be received; and
1.
That the Environmental Advisory Committee comments
regarding Natural Capital Asset Management Plan Introduction
Presentation be received and referred to staff for consideration
and further action as appropriate.
2.
8.Informational Items
9.New Business
10.Adjournment
Town of Aurora
Environmental Advisory Committee
Meeting Minutes
Date:
Time:
Location:
Monday, December 11, 2023
7:00 p.m.
Holland Room, Aurora Town Hall
Committee Members: Councillor Rachel Gilliland (Chair)
Councillor Wendy Gaertner (Vice Chair)
Nicole Arsenault
Shun Chen
Pippette Eibel*
Alain Godin
Denis Heng
Ken Turriff
Members Absent: Kristen Martens
Other Attendees: Matt Volpintesta, Manager, Parks and Fleet*
Nancy Fleming, Manager, Engineering Services
Natalie Kehle, Analyst, Energy and Climate Change
Emily Freitas, Council/Committee Coordinator
*Attended electronically
_____________________________________________________________________
1. Call to Order
The Chair called the meeting to order at 7:05 p.m.
2. Land Acknowledgement
The Committee acknowledged that the meeting took place on Anishinaabe lands,
the traditional and treaty territory of the Chippewas of Georgina Island,
recognizing the many other Nations whose presence here continues to this day,
the special relationship the Chippewas have with the lands and waters of this
territory, and that Aurora has shared responsibility for the stewardship of these
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Environmental Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes
Monday, December 11, 2023 2
lands and waters. It was noted that Aurora is part of the treaty lands of the
Mississaugas and Chippewas, recognized through Treaty #13 and the Williams
Treaties of 1923.
3. Approval of the Agenda
Moved by Ken Turriff
Seconded by Shun Chen
That the agenda as circulated by Legislative Services be approved.
Carried
4. Declarations of Pecuniary Interest and General Nature Thereof
There were no declarations of pecuniary interest under the Municipal Conflict of
Interest Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. M.50.
5. Receipt of the Minutes
5.1 Environmental Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes of September 18,
2023
Moved by Ken Turriff
Seconded by Denis Heng
1. That the Environmental Advisory Committee meeting minutes of
September 18, 2023, be received for information.
Carried
6. Delegations
None.
7. Matters for Consideration
The Committee consented to begin with item 7.2 followed by item 7.1.
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Environmental Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes
Monday, December 11, 2023 3
7.1 Memorandum from Parks & Fleet Manager; Re: Aurora Urban Forest Study
Update
Staff provided a presentation on the results and recommendations made
in the Forest Study Update. They discussed the high-level results of
canopy cover and possible tree canopy, percentage of trees on private
property, and dominant species, and highlighted the Forest Study's
findings such as existing and possible urban forest distribution, tree
species effects, air quality and storm water runoff effects, residential
energy bills, and historical changes.
Staff answered the Committee's inquiries on tree compensation
recommendations, forest management plan, the completion of the tree
canopy study and future projections, the availability and use of GIS
mapping to capture and monitor canopy data, recommendations made on
climate change mitigation and adaptation, and Staff clarified that some of
the recommendations discuss biodiversity and invasive species concerns.
Moved by Nicole Arsenault
Seconded by Shun Chen
1. That the memorandum regarding the Aurora Urban Forest Study
Update be received; and
2. That the Environmental Advisory Committee comments regarding the
Aurora Urban Forest Study Update be received and referred to staff for
consideration and further action as appropriate.
Carried
7.2 Memorandum from Energy and Climate Change Analyst; Re: Energy
Conservation and Demand Management Plan Project Update
Marlen Aleman, Project Manager, and Kayden Toffolo, Energy Analyst of
WalterFedy, presented the Energy Conservation and Demand Management
Plan (ECDMP) project update. They discussed the overall goals of the
ECDMP, project milestones and greenhouse gas emission target.
The Committee discussed and inquired about various aspects including
the completion timeline for the final report and recommendations, setting
a 2050 greenhouse gas emission target of net zero carbon and short-term,
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Environmental Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes
Monday, December 11, 2023 4
medium-term, and long-term goals, how the community can get involved,
and the carbon capture process.
Moved by Alain Godin
Seconded by Denis Heng
1. That the memorandum regarding Energy Conservation and Demand
Management Plan (ECDMP) Project Update from WalterFedy be
received; and
2. That the Environmental Advisory Committee comments regarding
Energy Conservation and Demand Management Plan (ECDMP) Project
Update from WalterFedy be received and referred to staff for
consideration and further action as appropriate.
Carried
8. Informational Items
None.
9. New Business
The Committee discussed the Town of Aurora's Holiday Eco Challenge and
requested more information on the performance of the campaign. Visit
aurora.ca/HolidayEcoChallenge for more information.
10. Adjournment
Moved by Shun Chen
Seconded by Nicole Arsenault
That the meeting be adjourned at 8:16 p.m.
Carried
Page 4 of 21
100 John West Way
Aurora, Ontario
L4G 6J1
(905) 727-3123
aurora.ca
Town of Aurora
Memorandum
Planning and Development Services
Re: Natural Capital Asset Management Plan Introduction Presentation
To: Environmental Advisory Committee
From: Natalie Kehle, Energy and Climate Change Analyst
Date: February 26, 2024
Recommendation
1. That the memorandum regarding Natural Capital Asset Management Plan
Introduction Presentation be received; and
2. That the Environmental Advisory Committee comments regarding Natural Capital
Asset Management Plan Introduction Presentation be received and referred to staff
for consideration and further action as appropriate.
Background
The Town of Aurora has secured the consulting services of SLBC Inc. to assist in the
development of the Town’s first Natural Capital Asset Management Plan (NCAMP). The
NCAMP will include the following Town-owned assets:
Natural Assets: wetlands, urban forest, water courses and waterbodies, and open
spaces
Enhanced Assets: stormwater ponds, urban trees, urban parks, and trail systems
Engineered Assets: linear stormwater, low impact developments (LIDs),
bioswales, water capture assets, community gardens, and oil and grit separators
(OGS).
The key objectives and goals for this initiative is developing an NCAMP that aligns with
the Town’s corporate Asset Management Plan (AMP) and Policy, while in compliance
with O.Reg. 588/17. Other activities under this project include:
Integrating existing management plans and studies completed by the Town for
the identified assets into the NCAMP
Identifying and establishing practical and actionable recommendations to help
improve the Town’s processes to manage it’s natural capital assets
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Natural Capital Asset Management Plan Introduction Presentation
February 26, 2024 Page 2 of 2
Preparing relevant tools, processes, and strategies to enable the Town to
improve and update future iterations of the NCAMP
The work plan includes workshops, project meetings and review points to facilitate
collaboration between divisions and include but not limited to the following
components:
State of Infrastructure
Current and Desired Levels of Service Assessment
Asset Management Strategy
Financial Analysis and Strategy
Continuous Improvement and Next Steps
The deadline for submitting the NCAMP, as required under the O.Reg. 588/17, is July 1st,
2024. A final draft plan will be presented to the Environmental Advisory Committee and
to Council in the spring of 2024.
Attachments
Attachment 1 – NCAMP Introduction Presentation
Page 6 of 21
1SLIDE :T OWN OF AURORANATURAL CAPITAL ASSET MANAGEMENT PLANEnvironmental Advisory CommitteeFebruary 26, 20241SLSLLLLLSLSLSLSLSLSLSLSLSLSLSLLSLSLSLSLSLSLSLSLSLSLSLSLSSLSLSLSLSLSLLLLSIDIIDIDDDDDIDDDDDDDDDDDDIDIDIDIDIDIDIDIDDIDIDIDIDIDDIDIDDIDIDIDIDDDIDDDDDIDE EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE::::::::::Attachment 1Page 7 of 21
2SLIDE :AGENDA•Team Introductions•Project Overview •Project Approach & Work Plan•Questions/Discussion?Page 8 of 21
3SLIDE :IntroductionsPage 9 of 21
4SLIDE :Project TeamPage 10 of 21
5SLIDE :Project OverviewPage 11 of 21
6SLIDE :The coordinated activity of an organization to realize value from assetsThis includes:•Delivering the service levels customersneed and regulators require•While minimizing total costs of assetownership•At an acceptable level of risk•Within an environment of limited resourcesCreating sustained value by better managing our assetsLevels of ServiceCost of ServiceRiskCreating sustained valueWhat is Asset Management?Page 12 of 21
7SLIDE :July 2019StrategicAM PolicyJuly 2022AM PlanCurrent LOSCore AssetsJuly 2024AM PlanCurrent LOSAll AssetsJuly 2025AM PlanProposed LOSAll AssetsRequired to articulate specific principles and commitments that will guide decisions around when, why and how money is spent oninfrastructure systemsRequired to document current LOS and costs to sustain current LOS provided by the water, wastewater, stormwater, road and bridge infrastructure systemsRequired to document current LOS and costs to sustain current LOS provided by all infrastructure systemsRequired to document current LOS, costs to sustain current LOS, proposed LOS, costs to achieve proposed LOS, and the financial strategy to fund the expenditures necessary to achieve proposed LOS for all infrastructure systemsO.Reg.588/17: Asset Management PlanningPage 13 of 21
8SLIDE :8The Town is looking to embark on developing a Natural Capital Asset Management Plan to meet O.Reg 588/17 requirements for the following assets: 1. Natural Assets: Wetlands, urban forest, water courses and waterbodies, and open spaces2. Enhanced Assets: Stormwater ponds, urban trees, urban parks, and trail systems3. Engineered Assets: Linear stormwater, low impact developments (LIDs), bioswales, water capture assets, community gardens, and oil and grit separators (OGS).Project OverviewPage 14 of 21
9SLIDE :Strong Governance & Accountability•Demonstrating to customers that services are being deliveredeffectively and efficiently•Providing a transparent andauditable basis for makingservice/risk/price trade-off decisions•Improving accountability for use ofresources through performance andfinancial indicators•Providing the ability to benchmarkresults against similar organizations.Effective & Sustainable Decision Making •Robust information evidence baseto support decisions;•Consideration of viable options(including demand management)and all aspects of decisions•Ensuring all lifecycle costs areincluded in decision processes, so that the emphasis is on sustainableefficiencies not unsustainable short-term gains.Enhanced Customer Service •Improved understanding of servicerequirements and options•Improved performance and control of service delivery to the requiredstandards / agreements•A more holistic approach to AMwithin the organization, through multi-disciplinary management teams.Benefits of Asset ManagementPage 15 of 21
10SLIDE :Effective Risk Management•Demonstrating compliance with legal and regulatory requirements•Understanding the risks related to AM and service delivery and applying a framework to prioritize risk mitigation•Applying business continuity practicesImproved Financial Efficiency•Improved decision-making based on costs and benefits of alternatives•Prioritization of investments, interventions and asset ‘needs’ activities•Justification for forward renewal & capital programs including funding•Inclusion of all costs of owning/operating assets over the lifecycle of the assets•Benchmarking condition and performance to promote innovation and efficiency.Benefits of Asset ManagementPage 16 of 21
11SLIDE :Project Approach & Work PlanPage 17 of 21
12SLIDE :Overall Project ApproachPage 18 of 21
13SLIDE :DeliverablesTimingOverall Project ManagementTask 1 – State of Infrastructure Task 2 – Levels of ServiceTask 3 – Asset management StrategyTask 4 –Financial StrategyTask 5 –Continuous Improvement & Next StepsTask 6 – Final Reporting & Presentation•Executed Contract•Project Management Plans (Draft/Final)•Monthly Progress Report meetings •Workshop Agenda, Presentation and Minutes•AM101 Training Workshop•TM No.1: State of Infrastructure (Draft/Final)•Workshop Agenda, Presentation and MinutesDuration of Assignment5 weeks9 weeks4 weeks•TM No.2: Levels of Service (Draft/Final)•Workshop Agenda, Presentation and Minutes•TM No.3: Asset Management Strategy (Draft/Final)•Workshop Agenda, Presentation and Minutes•TM No.4: Financing Strategy (Draft/Final)•Workshop Agenda, Presentation and Minutes•TM No.5: Continuous Improvement & Next Steps (Draft/Final)•Workshop Agenda, Presentation and Minutes•NCAMP Presentation (Draft/Final)•NCAMP Report (Draft/Final)•Workshop Agenda, Presentation and Minutes•Project close out meeting minutes6 weeks4 weeks5 weeksWork PlanPage 19 of 21
14SLIDE :DiscussionPage 20 of 21
15SLIDE :15SLIDE :www.slbc-inc.comPage 21 of 21